The Medici Queen

by Emily Bex

  Fee spoke in her animated fashion, "He doesn’t make the female/male distinction when it comes to his warriors, but he’s no ordinary master either. Most European masters still have no use for females as warriors. Shade has changed a few of their minds. But no female has ever been assigned to protect the Council yet. I’ll never live to see that day." As they both laughed, Fee noticed Aislynn gazing in their direction and she motioned her forward. "Kate, I’d like you to meet Aislynn, have you met her before?"

  Kate welcomed her into the circle. "We’ve not officially met, but I’ve seen her on the training field. You’re an impressive warrior Aislynn."

  Bowing her head, Aislynn smiled softly. "Thank you, my lady. I’m honored to be a Medici. It means a great deal to me and I intend to do my best to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from Master Shade and those that serve him. May I ask you something? I don’t want to overstep my boundaries, but I’ve heard you’re amazing with the crossbow. May I ask who taught you your skills?"

  Kate looked down before answering. "I'm afraid I was taking some unauthorized lessons, but Luca trained me, and he said Shade trained him. I understand Skelk is the real master at cross-bow however, and I’m hoping he’ll work with me. He seems like the reclusive type though, so it may take me a while to break down those barriers."

  Kate saw Aislynn blush when she sought out Luca in the crowd. Kate turned to look at Luca. He was totally preoccupied with the other warriors and was taking no notice of Aislynn.

  Kate felt a sense of protectiveness for her guardian. "Luca is spoken for. You might want to try to catch the eye of one of the other warriors."

  Aislynn gasped. "Oh, my lady, no. Luca is very handsome, but I have no interest in him.”

  Fee laughed. "Relax, Aislynn, if I thought for one moment you had your eye on Luca, or any of the males, you wouldn’t be here. We already had one episode of that. Kate was just reminding you Luca was off limits. And I think, at this stage of your training, you’re best to leave the males the hell alone. Who would want one of these brutes anyway?”

  Kate turned to Fee. "Does that mean your heart is so hardened you can't find love, sister? I hope not."

  Fee caught a glimpse of Marcello and quickly looked back at Kate. "I learned long ago to shut my feelings down. It’s been a hard road being taken seriously as a female. I had to fight every day to win this respect, and it wasn’t easy. I don’t know if my heart is hard, some say I’m stone cold, but I can still fall in love. I’m a warrior first, but perhaps someday, a male will see me for more than warrior."

  Looking down she quickly ended the conversation and grabbed Aislynn’s hand. "Come on, we have work to get to and I’m sure our queen has a million things to tend to."

  Kate watched as the two females walked away. She knew strong women made a choice, mortal or immortal, and it would take a strong man to accept them. She hoped Fiamma could find him. She turned and looked around the room, finding Shade surrounded by his warriors, all vying for his attention and approval. She smiled and sent him a message. “I am ready to go back to the house.”

  Shade heard her voice in his head and his eyes locked with hers. How the fuck he ever won her heart he’d never know. Excusing himself from his warriors, he commanded them to get to their posts and get busy. Walking to bel, he bowed elegantly.

  "May I have the honor of escorting my lady home?"

  Kate flashed him a coy smile. "Oh, I hope so."

  "I am a mere warrior my lady, but I assure you I am most respectable, and I will protect you with my life."

  He let his hand slowly slide around her neck and through her crimson silk and he sighed. He wrapped her in his arms, cradling her into his chest.

  Kate giggled. "Not too respectable I hope. I’d be disappointed if you didn’t make advances."

  Leading her out the door, a cheer went up from his warriors as they all scattered to their duties. Tonight, he’d let her feed and then return to his warriors. As always, his bel came first.

  66

  Once Shade returned to the camp, Kate made her way to his office and picked up the floor plans for the attic space that would now be converted into a suite for Cory. He'd have his own living room, bathroom, and bedroom. Kate talked to Gi to make sure the kitchen stayed stocked as well, since Cory still ate some human food.

  Cory wandered back in from the camp, still a little shell-shocked from the reception he’d received from the warriors. He sat down with Kate to review the floor plans and was blown away by the amount of space he’d have. He worked with Kate to pick out the kind of furniture he liked, but he’d seen Luca's suite, and Shade's office, and he knew she wouldn’t make his room all frilly.

  The contractor dropped in and Cory suggested a few changes. Everyone was happy with the plan and the contractor said his crew would have everything done in a few days. In the meantime, Cory would continue to stay in the guest bedroom.

  Kate followed up with the designer working on the Paris house, and gave Reynaldo a call about the progress in California. Both projects were moving along well. At the end of the night, she headed upstairs to wait for Shade. He returned to her after a grueling night of putting the new recruits through their paces. The night sky was starting to lighten as she heard the electronic blinds come down. She switched on the lamp on the bedside table and watched him as he stripped from his leathers, moving slowly. Kate calculated in her head how many days it had been since he’d fed from her, and knew he was waiting too long.

  "Lover, when did you last feed? You look tired. Haven’t you gone to Luca yet?"

  His body was weary and tired. He wasn’t even fighting real battles, only teaching his new recruits in mock battles. Looking over at Kate, he knew she could sense his body slowing. He’d been putting off feeding from Luca, knowing that once he started, he wouldn’t feed from his mate again for a long while and that made him feel like hell.

  "I do not remember the last time I fed. I believe it was the night we went riding in the moonlight. I have not gone to Luca. I am tired, that is all, mi amore, nothing more. A lot has happened lately, I am more concerned about your condition than my own at this point, si?"

  Kate looked at him with concern. He’d pushed himself with the trip to Council to address the issue about Cory, making the final cuts in the camp and getting the new warriors on a schedule. His color looked pale and it worried her. He’d continued to feed her, and had taken nothing in return. "I’m well taken care of. You’ve seen to that. Now, please, before you climb into bed, go to Luca."

  He could feel her deep concern and love for him. He’d hoped to figure out some means of being with Luca away from the house or go to Luca when she slept, so as not to make it difficult for her. The memories of her tears from before had made it hard to go to Luca.

  "Bel, I will find the time, trust me. I just..." He flopped down hard on the bed, throwing his hands over his eyes, sighing. "I can manage this. I can go a few more nights without, I do not feel well, and I know you can feel that, not lying to myself. But I can go longer."

  Feeling his beast growl inside him, it was getting harder to be near her and resist. His beast was hungry, and he’d have a hard time controlling him if he began to starve. In his head, he knew he could be putting everyone here in danger.

  She could feel the depth of his hunger, the gnawing pain and the need. Why the reluctance? They’d already discussed this with Luca, and Shannon was reluctantly onboard. She knew Luca was in his suite. She’d seen him there just before coming upstairs. She feared his reluctance was based on his concern for her. How difficult it had been for her during the last pregnancy, knowing what went on behind the closed door of Luca's suite.

  Kate would make him feed, in the only way she knew how. She rolled over close to him, slid her hand over his bare chest as she laid her head on his shoulder. She licked and nipped at his chest before moving to his neck, letting her tongue slide over the length of his vein.

  His growl vibrated through the room, his fangs punching
through instantly as his beast rolled through him, ready to feed. Gripping the sheets, his knuckles white as his body began to shake, and he was losing control. "Mi amore, please, you torture me, I cannot bear this. I can barely stand to be near you without feeding. Why are you doing this to me?"

  Rolling her off his chest, he stood from the bed, his hunger like a live entity, demanding to be fed. His fists were balled up tight at his sides, his eyes lighting the room in a brilliant red as he growled, trying to regain control.

  Kate slid from their bed and took his hand. "Come with me, Shade."

  She led him down the stairs and into Luca's suite. Luca looked up from the easel as Kate entered, holding Shade's hand. Shade's fangs were bared, and Luca could feel his hunger from here. Luca looked at her quizzically, as she led Shade to his bed. Kate lay down and pulled him into bed bedside her. Shade was almost more beast than man as he climbed into the bed, the saliva dripping from his fangs, his need to feed overpowering him. A light bulb went off for Luca, as he realized what she was doing. Shade hadn’t feed from her, or from him, and she brought Shade to him tonight. Kate slid her hands into Shade's dark curls, and kissed him deeply, as Luca undressed and climbed in the bed from the opposite side, with Kate sandwiched between them.

  The beast became more aroused the closer he was to bel. His fangs ached, his body rigid with need and wanting. His beast was alive, angry and hungry. Denying the beast was dangerous, but Shade continued to fight, trying not to let him have full rein, but the beast was winning this battle. Shade finally relinquished control as the beast now followed bel's lead. He responded, pushing his tongue into her throat, his moans guttural and aching in his deepest darkest need for blood. He could feel Luca close at hand, but no longer cared, with the realization it was her beast that was leading him where his beast needed to go.

  Kate felt him respond to her, returning the kiss, his tongue exploring deep inside her mouth. She slid her hand over his abdomen and down to his rock hard cock, feeling it throb in her hand. She stroked him slowly, knowing he’d need little encouragement this night. His hunger had him pushed to the edge of endurance. His hips responded to her touch, thrusting against her.

  Kate could feel Luca's breath on the back of her neck as his own beast emerged. She let go of Shade's cock and reached behind her, taking Luca's hand and pulling it over her, leading Luca's hand to take hold of Shade's erection. She could feel the sexual tension build between the two male beasts, seeking release. Kate broke her kiss and lay back on the bed, as Luca leaned over her, his mouth connecting with Shade's. Kate watched as their tongues battled, before Shade grabbed Luca's hair, pulling him hard against his lips as his primal growl filled the room.

  Kate slid under Luca as he rolled over her, their hard, muscular bodies now joined. Luca stroked his cock hard, as she saw Shade pulling him closer. Kate walked from the room and closed the door behind her. She’d wait for him now in their bedroom.

  Shade picked up Luca’s scent and their mouths locked, tight and sweet. His beast knew he could take Luca, feed and achieve release by the strong hand that stroked him, the grasp tight around his cock, knowing how to bring him what he needed. Letting go of all reservations, he pulled Luca tight against his body as he felt bel leave. He was beyond the point of no return, as his beast wanted what he wanted.

  Breaking the kiss, he rolled Luca to his back, letting his hand slide to his neck, growling with deep sexual intent. As they locked eyes, Luca's fangs punched and his tongue snaked out as he leaned up and licked Shade's neck. Shade sank his fangs deep in Luca's neck, as that first burst of young warrior blood slammed into his system, driving him into erotic overdrive. His body responded to the blood lust and his hips grinded against the hard male body beneath him, feeling Luca's erection against his stomach. Drawing even deeper, Luca's growl only fed his own desire and his cock was like steel. He wanted more than blood to satisfy his beast.

  As master fed, Luca slid his hand between them, gripping both of their dicks in his hand. He could feel the throbbing heat in his hands as he stroked them both simultaneously, and they relished in the feel of his hand and the friction of cock to cock, sliding against each other. Shade drank deeper, letting his hips ride the rhythm of Luca's strokes.

  For Shade, the feeling was erotic, the hunger was abating but other desires rose to the surface. The beast hungered for more than blood and Luca's beast responded in kind. Unlatching his fangs, Shade slowly licked the wounds in Luca’s neck. His beast liked the feel of masculine muscle under his tongue and his mouth quickly sought out and encircled a hard nipple, as Luca's body writhed beneath him. Shade’s hand slid into Luca's hair, as he gripped a handful of hair and hoarsely whispered his name, "Luca."

  Feeling Luca's release was close, Shade slid down his body slowly, letting his tongue leave a wet trail across the hard muscle. Shade’s hard cock slid over Luca’s muscular thighs, as his lips kissed his narrow hips, and Luca's moans vibrated the bed beneath them.

  Gripping Luca's erection, it felt rigid and thick in his hand. Beginning to stroke him from root to tip, letting the head bulge, his beast fed on the sounds, the smells, and the release he knew he’d bring to Luca. Stroking slowly, his hand gripped and released as he stroked. Shade slid his other hand down Luca's hip and thigh. He stroked his balls, squeezing them lightly, bringing Luca even more pleasure. His own cock aching as well, his strokes were deep and strong as Luca's beast writhed beneath him.

  "Take release, Luca."

  Shade’s hand moved faster and his grip was hard, as his hand slid up and down the thickened hard cock. Luca called out as his cum shot skyward before sliding down Shade's hand. Shade’s beast growled in response to Luca’s scent of raw sex, as it filled his nostrils and stimulated his own aching need.

  Luca’s chest heaved as he gasped for air. He rolled onto his side, reaching for master's cock. He felt Shade crawl slowly back over him as Luca gripped him hard, stroking with one hand as his free hand circled Shade’s hips, and Luca gripped the rock hard muscle of master's ass. Luca threw his head back, exposing his neck once again as he felt Shade sink his fangs into the muscles of his shoulders. Luca's body responded as the current of sexual energy flowed through him, and he stroked hard, twisting his hand, as he slid it the full length of Shade's rigid sword.

  He could feel his master drinking deep again, as his cock throbbed harder in his hand. Luca squeezed and released his cock, sliding his hand faster up and down the thick shaft. Luca gripped the muscle of Shade's ass tighter, mixing pain with pleasure as he created a twisting, rolling motion with his hand over the bulbous head of master's dick, feeling him explode in his hand, his hot cum dripping through his fingers as his growl vibrated through the room.

  As Shade unlatched from Luca’s vein, blood seeping down his chin, he threw back his head, taking in air, his body satisfied sexually, and his blood-hunger gone. Pulling Luca to him, they locked eyes and his beast still moved inside him, both of their bodies still alive, not yet releasing the other.

  Luca's tongue whipped out and licked his own blood from Shade’s chin and Shade returned in kind, kissing him, his hands sliding to Luca’s cheeks, holding his face steady as his kiss deepened. Feeling their beasts retreat slowly, he broke the kiss, pulling Luca's head to his shoulder, Shade whispered, "Grazie."

  Luca lay with him quietly, held in a gentle embrace as their breathing returned to normal. He knew the death slumber would pull Shade down quickly now that his needs had been met, and he felt him slip from his bed.

  Luca watched him as he left the suite and spoke softly to him, "Don’t wait so long next time, master."

  Shade stopped but didn’t turn around, feeling revived, yet the death slumber slowly creeping into his body. "I’ll need you again, but then I always need you for protection of my most valued, bel. You serve us both with heart and soul, and I am grateful Luca, always."

  Walking out the door, he closed it behind him, heading up the stairs. He cared not that he was naked, only that his needs
had been satisfied, but still aching to have bel in his arms for his slumber. Opening the door to their bed chamber, he walked in and saw her lying on their bed and he took a deep breath, suddenly not sure what he should say, if anything.

  Kate had waited for him in their bed. She could feel his hunger as it was abated, and the intensity of sexual desire as it rolled through him. She could hear the sounds of their mutual pleasure and the power of the release. She heard his footsteps on the stairs and then he opened the door to their room. She looked up at him from their bed and flung the covers back, making room for him beside her. He slipped silently into the space she’d made for him and she immediately curled around him. Her hand stroked his face, the stubble harsh against her tender skin, as she lowered her mouth to his, kissing him as before. She laid her head on his chest and wrapped her arm across him. "Sleep now, lover."

  He could feel her acceptance, her acknowledgement that this was how it must be. He felt no remorse, no pain, no agony from her as before, but only love, love so deep it almost made him weep. His arms encircled her, hugging her as one hand slid to her bare ass, the other wrapped into her crimson. The scent of roses encircled them both. She was his home and his light.

  "Ti amo, mi amore." His eyes closed as the slumber took him, and he walked with her in her dreams.

  67

  Kate had made the final walk-through with the contractors who’d remodeled the attic space and staircase that led to Cory’s suite. He’d have his own living room, bathroom, and bedroom. The contractor was able to add another fireplace into the existing chimney along the outer wall, so Cory had a fireplace in his bedroom. The interior designers had been working night and day to get the new furniture in, including the large flat screen TV and the video gaming system.

  Kate shook her head. It was the only TV in the house. Cory remained with one foot in the mortal world as he lived among immortals and maintained his love of mortal pastimes like skateboards and video games. His suite looked masculine but very well-appointed. Not overly opulent and fancy as Cory requested, but he’d have everything he requested and more. Both Cory and Shade had been in the camp all night. Cory was busy making leathers for all the new recruits who made the final cut, and Shade was busy with their training. Kate turned to leave the suite, pleased with the results. As soon as the men returned from the camp, she was ready to show Cory his new space and have him move from the guest bedroom into his own rooms.